http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/30 2026-04-04T19:11:32Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2336 BІOECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF Tuta absoluta MEYRІCK (Lepіdoptera: Gelechііdae) ON Solanum lycopersіcum L. ІN SOUTHWESTERN, NІGERІA AWODOYІN, TOSІN ІFEDOLAPO Tuta absoluta (Ta) іs an іnvasіve іnsect pest causіng severe damage and yіeld loss to tomato іn the fіeld and screenhouses. Management of Ta іs dіffіcult because іts lіfe cycle varіes wіth envіronment, and іt has developed resіstance to chemіcal pestіcіdes. Presently іn Southwest Nіgerіa (SWN), іnformatіon on the knowledge and lіfe cycle of Ta whіch іs іmportant for іts effectіve management іs lіmіted. Therefore, tomato farmers’ Knowledge, Perceptіon, and Management Preferences (KPMP) of Ta was surveyed іn SWN, whіle іts bіoecology and management on tomato were іnvestіgated іn Іbadan. A fіve-stage samplіng procedure was used. Three major Tomato-Growіng-States (TGS): Ogun, Oyo and Ekіtі states were purposіvely sampled іn SWN. Fіve Agrіcultural Development Programme Zones (ADPZ) were purposіvely selected from the TGS. Thereafter, ten Agrіcultural Development Programme Blocks (ADPB) from ADPZ were purposіvely selected. Twenty-four Agrіcultural Development Programme Cells (ADPC) were purposіvely selected from each ADPB. Fіnally, 31.3% of tomato farmers from ADPC were randomly selected (n=180). Data were collected on tomato farmers’ KPMP of Ta usіng structured questіonnaіre. Forty tomato plants were assessed on 15 farms and three screenhouses іn each TGS for Ta occurrence. Selected samples of Ta (n=10) were іdentіfіed at molecular level usіng specіfіc prіmers and standard technіque. Developmental and behavіoural bіology of Ta were assessed on sweet-tomato іn the laboratory for data on Developmental Perіod-DP (days), morphometrіcs (mm), lіfetable, parthenogenesіs, Days to Adult Emergence (DAE), Adult Longevіty (AL, days), sex ratіo, and pre-ovіposіtіon and ovіposіtіon. Twenty tomato accessіons were evaluated іn the screenhouse (10kg pots) for resіstance. Pots were laіd out іn randomіsed complete block desіgn wіth four replіcates. Larval-eclosіon (%) and yіeld loss were determіned. Data were analysed usіng descrіptіve statіstіcs and ANOVA at α0.05. Tomato farmers (78.8%) іdentіfіed Ta wіth pіctures and damage characterіstіcs, 69.5% knew severіty of Ta іnfestatіon on tomato plants. About 52.5% of respondents dіd not perceіve Ta as a major fіeld іnsect pest of tomato. Management preference for Ta were botanіcals (88.5%)>chemіcal (87.7%)>crop rotatіon (63.5%). Tuta absoluta was not detected on the farms but іn screenhouses. Tuta absoluta was bіphyletіc (Brazіl and Spaіn varіants). Total DP for eggs, larva and pupa was 3-4, 10-13, and 6-8, respectіvely. Egg was oval (0.22±0.01); larva comprіsed four-іnstars wіth body-length (1.49±0.02- 8.00±0.01), body-wіdth (0.28±0.02-0.67±0.01) and head-capsule-wіdth (0.15±0.01- 0.56±0.01). Pupa body-length and body-wіdth were 4.00±0.01 and 0.64±0.01, respectіvely. Net reproductіve rate was 46.01. Deuterotokous parthenogenesіs occurred wіth 33.2% larvae emergence from 94.40±7.21 eggs laіd. The DAE was 21 and AL varіed wіth sex (vіrgіn males:7.28±2.13, vіrgіn females:12.87±3.55) and mated females (15.54±3.20). Sex ratіo was 1:1.5 (male:female). Pre-ovіposіtіon was 1.9 days and ovіposіtіon lasted 10.0 days. Accessіons were susceptіble wіth larval-eclosіon (50-80%) and yіeld loss (60-100%). Tuta absoluta іs a serіous threat to tomato productіon іn the screenhouses іn Southwest, Nіgerіa. Іt has a short developmental perіod from egg to adult (20-23 days) that makes іt a multіvoltіne іnsect. Due to іts deuterotokous parthenogenetіc nature, Tuta absoluta control through the sterіle іnsect technіque wіll not be effectіve. 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2334 BIOECOLOGY OF Indigofera hirsuta Linn.AND ITS GREEN MANURE POTENTIAL ON PERFORMANCE OF Amaranthus cruentus Linn. IN IBADAN, NIGERIA ADELERE, Yetunde Mary The performance of crops are generally hindered by weeds, but some Leguminous Weeds (LW) such as Sesbania spp. have been reported to serve as Green Manure (GM) in the production of vegetables, including Amaranthus cruentus (Ac). While some LW do not nodulate, limiting their potential as GM, Indigofera hirsuta (Ih), a LW, nodulates and can serve as GM but its use on Ac has not been adequately documented in Nigeria. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the GM potential of Ih on Ac performance, and to study its bioecology in Ibadan, Nigeria. Floristic enumeration was carried out at Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ibadan, during Wet Season (WS) and Dry Season (DS). Quadrats (0.5m2) were laid 15 times, using X-Y coordinate random sampling technique, to determine Relative Importance Value-RIV (%) and Shannon-Wiener index (H´). Seeds (20 each) of Ih, scarified with concentrated H2SO4 (analar grade) for 10 (T1), 20 (T2), 30 (T3), 40 (T4), 50 (T5) and 60 (T6) minutes and un-scarified seeds (T7=control) were placed in Petri dishes. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomised design replicated four times and Germination Percentage (GP-%) was determined at day seven. Seeds from T1 were stored in envelope at room temperature to determine storability after scarification and GP was evaluated monthly for eight months. Field experiment was carried out to evaluate the GM potential of Ih. Seeds from T1 were sown for 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks in 1 m2 plots, arranged in randomised complete block design in triplicates. The shoots were cut into pieces, incorporated into the soil and allowed to decompose for three weeks before sowing seeds of Ac. Plant Height-PH (cm), Stem Diameter-SD (cm), Leaf Area-LA (cm2) and Fresh Weight-FW (kg) of Ac were determined using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Twenty weed species were encountered in WS and 14 in DS. The RIV was highest for Tridax procumbens in WS=19.02 and DS=29.03, lowest for both Sida acuta and Talinum fructicosum in WS=0.62 and DS=1.67, respectively. Indigofera hirsuta had 6.87 (WS) and 13.96 (DS). The H´ of 2.11 (WS) was higher than 1.98 (DS). The GP ranged from 96.3 in T1 to 2.5 in T7. Seeds stored for one to four months had similar GP with range 83.0 to 95.0 and significantly higher than those stored for five to eight months with range 15.0 to 73.5. Incorporation of 8-week GM increased PH, SD, LA and FW of Ac with 59.53±1.33, 0.90±0.00, 88.73±4.35 and 1.73±0.04 compared with 45.87±0.80, 0.67±0.03, 51.28±1.24 and 0.77±0.05 recorded for 4-week GM, respectively. This could be adduced to production of high number of effective nodules by Ih at eight weeks. The control plot had the least PH:40.83±0.54, SD:0.60±0.00, LA:43.95±2.59 and FW:0.55±0.03. All the weed species, including Indigofera hirsuta, were randomly distributed in both seasons. Seeds treated with concentrated H2SO4 maintained high germination and short viability duration. Performance of Amaranthus cruentus was superior in plots incorporated with Indigofera hirsuta. 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2332 CHEMICAL ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF Phytolyma fusca WALKER (HEMIPTERA: PSYLLIDAE) USING ORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON Milicia excelsa C.C. BERG OLORUNNIBE, Victor Niyi Milicia excelsa (Me) is an important timber tree whose establishment has been constrained by Phytolyma fusca (Pf) attack. A commonly used method of Pf control with systemic pesticides has been unsuccessful but cultural management with organic amendment could be feasible. Information on the chemical interactions between Pf and Me, and effectiveness of organic amendments for the management of Pf is scanty. Therefore, phytochemical constituents, reactive oxygen species of Me seedlings attacked by Pf and effect of soil amendments on its growth and gall formation were investigated. Seeds of Me (n=272) collected from a mother tree were germinated and raised in a screen cage, out of which 20-seedlings were collected and infested with Pf following standard procedure. Galled Leaves (GL) and Healthy Leaves (HL) were analysed at 32- and 64-weeks for phytochemical contents using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Third-leaf from the apex of healthy seedlings (n=12), aged 32-weeks were mechanically wounded using a sterile needle perforator, excised after 6 hours; and analysed using standard staining technique for Superoxide Anion (SA) and Hydrogen Peroxide (HP). Soil was amended with Poultry droppings (Pd), Cattle dung (Cd) and Pig faeces (Pgf) at ratio 2:1. Sixty replicates of healthy seedlings (n=240), aged 24-weeks were randomly transplanted and immediately exposed to Pf, while seedlings on untreated soil served as control. Seedling survival (SS),%, Seedling height (SH),cm, Collar diameter (CoD),cm and Number of galls (NoG) were assessed fortnightly for 22 weeks. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Six phytochemicals; tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, steroids and terpenoids were identified in GL and HL at 32- and 64-weeks, respectively. Alkaloids were higher in GL (2.44±0.02%) and lower in HL (2.12±0.03%) at week-32. Saponins, terpenoids, tannins and flavonoids decreased from 0.09±2.08 mg/g, 0.55±0.01 mg/g, 0.44±0.45 mg/g, 0.49±0.08 mg/g in HL to 0.01±0.01 mg/g, 0.16±0.07 mg/g, 0.23±0.06 mg/g, 0.23±0.06 mg/g in GL at week-32, respectively. At week-64, saponins and alkaloids were higher in GL (0.25±0.16 mg/g and 6.30±0.14%) and lower in HL (0.17±2.08 mg/g and 3.78±0.13%), respectively. Terpenoids, tannins and flavonoids were higher in HL (0.70±0.31 mg/g 0.84±0.85 mg/g and 0.73±0.39 mg/g) and lower in GL (0.54±0.43 mg/g, 0.57±0.65 mg/g and 0.50±0.19 mg/g), respectively. Numbers of Heterocyclic Compounds (NHC) in the GL (18) was lower in HL (20) at week-32. Also, NHC in GL (15) reduced by 45% and HL (18) by 47% at week-64, respectively. Terpenoids present in HL were absent in GL at week-64. Brown colouration on wounded leaf- tissues indicated the presence of HP while SA was absent in both leaf treatments. The SS was least in Pd (50.0%) and highest in control (80.0%). The SH and CoD significantly increased from 23.4±0.82 to 46.21±2.59; and 0.46±0.02 to 0.77±0.03, in control and PD seedlings, respectively. The NoG was lowest in CD (0.75±0.06) and highest in control (1.25±0.09). Heterocyclic compounds in galled leaves reduced with persistent attack, while Phytolyma fusca activity decreased the amount of terpenoids in healthy leaves. Mechanical wounding induced hydrogen peroxide production. Soil amendment with poultry droppings enhanced growth of Milicia excelsa seedlings. 2022-03-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2314 BIOECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF COFFEE BEAN WEEVIL, (Araecerus fasciculatus De Geer) ON SOME STORED FOOD CROPS IN SELECTED STATES IN NIGERIA GBOLAHAN, Felicia Abosede Stored Food Crops (SFC) serve as host to Insect Pests (IP). Araecerus fasciculatus (Af) is a major IP causing severe economic losses in Nigeria. In a bid to prevent deterioration on Food Crops (FC), farmers process FC into Dried Chips (DC), nonetheless, the DC are susceptible to Af damage. Use of synthetic insecticides to reduce activity of Af is a common practice but with attendant environmental hazards. Knowledge of Af Life Stages (LS) and its relationship with other IP on SFC are required for safe and effective control, however, specific information on its biology and safe management are scanty. Thus, the bioecology and management of Af on DC of selected SFC were investigated. Dried Chips (5kg each) of cassava, potato, Water Yam (WaY), White Yam (WhY) and plantain were collected in different markets in Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Kwara and Ekiti states where SFC were predominant to assess occurrence and abundance of IP using standard procedures. The LS of Af on different DC was assessed using standard procedures. Developmental Period (DP, days), Number of Eggs Laid (NEL), Adult Longevity (AL, days), morphometrics of adults (mm) were recorded. Management of Af on DC by blanching with mixture of fermented maize water (mL), water (mL) and lime (mL) in varying concentrations to obtain, T1 (250.0+747.5+2.5), T2 (250.0+745.0+5.0), T3 (250.0+742.5+7.5), T4 (250.0+740.0+10.0); controls comprised T5 (250.0+750.0+0.0) and T6 (0.0+1000.0+0.0), respectively were laid out in complete randomised design (r=4). The AL, DP and WL (g) of DC were determined using standard methods. Diversity of emerged IP was assessed using Shannon-Wiener (H`, low=0- 0.9; high=1-4.6) and evenness indices (low=0; high=1). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Araecerus fasciculatus (93.22±3.14), Dinoderus minutus (74.89±1.62) and Prostephanus truncatus, (71.33±1.42), occurred as most abundant IP on DC across states. Araecerus fasciculatus had seven life-stages: egg, four larva-instars, pupa and adult. The DP of Af on plantain, potato, cassava, WhY and WaY were 42.25±1.44, 45.50±2.06, 47.00±0.91, 49.75±0.91 and 52.75±2.87, respectively. The NEL by Af was in order 100.00±3.24 (WhY) > 94.00±4.42 (WaY) > 62.00±4.05 (cassava) > 58.00±4.05 (plantain) and > 53.00±7.46 (potato). The AL on DC were 105.0 (WaY), 99.5 (WhY), 91.5 (Potato), 88.5 (cassava) and 66.5 (plantain). Male length and width were 2.74-3.89 and 1.06-1.28, while female length and width were 3.82-3.88 and 1.76-1.86. The AL (105.00±3.87) of WaY treated with T5 was significantly longer (31.75±1.18) than cassava treated with T4. The DP was longest (78.25±0.85) on WhY treated with T4 and significantly higher (42.25±1.93) than cassava treated with T5. The plantain DC treated with T5 had highest WL (37.13±1.10) and was significantly higher (0.34±0.10) than potato DC treated with T4. The H` and evenness indices ranged from 0.00-2.01 and 0.63-1.00, respectively. Araecerus fasciculatus was the major insect pest of dried chips in Nigeria with developmental period spanning 42 to 52 days. Blanching with mixture of 740 mL water with 250 mL fermented maize water and 10 mL lime protected dried chips and can be utilized for an effective management of Araecerus fasciculatus. 2021-09-01T00:00:00Z